Softball team to honor sophomores after Saturday's doubleheader

The Eastern Florida State College softball program will honor its nine sophomores after Saturday's doubleheader with Broward College.

The nine sophomores have been integral to the program, winning 30 games last season and finishing in the final eight in the state tournament. They head into Saturday's Southern Conference doubleheader 28-22 overall and in second place in the conference at 11-5.

"When I got the job, I went out and recruited some players who took a chance on Eastern Florida and they have really put their mark on the program," Eastern Florida State College softball coach Jim Beitia said. "It is extra special for me being the first graduating class and it is a special group."

The nine sophomores have played in a combined 502 games in the two seasons at Eastern Florida State College.

Shortstop Nikki Pennington has started 93 games in her career and her two-run home run on Wednesday night gave her 101 career RBIs. The Palm Bay native is hitting .504 this season with nine home runs and 40 RBI. In her career, Pennington is hitting .405 with 71 runs scored and 17 home runs. Pennington made the all-Southern Conference first team last season.

First baseman Caitlin Meyer has played in 102 games with the Titans and comes into Saturday with a .351 batting average. Meyer has hit 12 home runs, driven in 59 runs and scored 74 times in her two seasons with the Titans. The Palm Bay native has a .324 batting average with eight stolen bases in her Titan career. Pennington made the all-Southern Conference second team last season.

Starting pitcher Olivia Everett has been injured most of the season but finishes her Titans career with a 3.02 ERA in 36 starts with 23 complete games. The Moore Haven native has thrown 206 1/3 innings in 42 appearances. Pennington made the all-Southern Conference first team last season.

Third baseman Hannah Crumblish has played in 107 games with the Titans and has a .325 career batting average. The Clermont native has scored 90 runs and driven in 50 runs with 26 stolen bases. Crumblish made the all-Southern Conference second team last season.

Second baseman Hailey Profeta has become one of the top hitters in the lineup for the Titans, hitting .356 this season with 11 doubles. In her Titans career, the Holiday, Florida native has played in 80 games with a .323 average and has a .965 fielding percentage.

Outfielder Alice Gannaway has played in 69 games with the Titans, hitting .247 with 12 doubles and 25 RBI. The Clearwater native finishes with a .974 fielding percentage this season.

Catcher Abigail Thompson has become a starter toward the end of the season for the Titans and is hitting .310 with 12 RBI and 14 runs scored. The transfer from Polk State College has played in 35 games this season.

Outfielder Jilana Figueroa-Rodriguez has played in 28 games this season and played all three outfield positions. The Orlando native has scored 10 runs and has just one error in the 28 games this season.

Catcher Lexi Neiberline has worked to become a solid player for the Titans this season, playing in 15 games. The Lakeland native has not made an error this season and is one of the team leaders.

Saturday's doubleheader with Broward College begins at 1 p.m. and admission is free to Titan Softball Complex. The sophomore class will be honored after the second game of the doubleheader.